Useful Information
If you have been arrested or charged with assault on an emergency worker, you are facing a charge that the courts treat more seriously than common assault or assault on police. The sentencing guidelines for assault on an emergency worker carry a maximum...
If you have been arrested or charged with assault on a police officer, the law treats this far more seriously than an assault on a member of the public. If you have been arrested or charged with assaulting a police officer, the court will take the...
A pseudo-photograph is an image which appears to be a photograph but has been digitally created or altered, rather than taken with a camera. Under UK law, pseudo-photographs of children are treated as seriously as real indecent photographs, and being found...
In brief: In criminal investigations, UK police use advanced forensic software to extract data from digital devices, including encrypted and deleted content. If you have had a device seized, the data on that device is now central to whether the prosecution...
If you have been arrested, interviewed under caution, or released under investigation, one question dominates every other: what evidence does the CPS need to charge you? The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) applies a defined legal standard to every charging...
If you have been arrested or charged with affray, the first thing you need is a plain explanation of what the offence is, how it is sentenced, and what your next steps should be. Affray is a public order offence under section 3 of the Public Order Act 1986....
There is widespread confusion about whether it is illegal to take pictures of minors without permission in the UK, particularly when photographs are taken in a public place. UK law draws a sharp line between everyday photography and conduct that crosses...
Whether kissing a minor is illegal in the UK depends on age, context, and whether the kiss is sexual in the eyes of the law. This guide explains when a kiss involving someone under 16 crosses into criminal territory, what the Sexual Offences Act 2003...
If you have just been arrested or are about to appear in a Magistrates' Court, you have a legal right to free advice from a duty solicitor. Whether you should use that duty solicitor or instruct a private criminal defence firm depends on the seriousness...
Quick answer UK police typically uncover indecent images offences through automated detection systems that identify suspicious search terms and message activity. Once an IP address is identified, a warrant is obtained – under the Protection of...
Anyone facing a Crown Court matter, or supporting a family member through one, wants the same thing: a clear picture of what happens, in what order, and what their solicitor is doing at each stage. Crown Courts hear the most serious criminal cases in...
Quick answer In England and Wales, the standard initial pre-charge bail period is three months. When bail ends, the police will normally either charge you with an offence, release you without charge (no further action), release you under investigation, or...
In Brief Being accused of possessing, making, or distributing indecent images of children (IIOC) is an extremely serious matter. The offences are governed primarily by Section 1 of the Protection of Children Act 1978 and Section 160 of the Criminal Justice...
In Brief If you are questioned by the police, you have a legal right not to answer police questions and may respond “no comment” if you choose. This right to silence is protected under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE) and Article...
In Brief Grievous bodily harm (GBH) is the most serious category of non-fatal assault under English and Welsh law. It is defined as “really serious bodily harm”. Injuries classed as GBH typically include broken bones, stab wounds, facial...
In Brief Breaching a non-molestation order is a criminal offence under Section 42A of the Family Law Act 1996, carrying a maximum sentence of five years’ imprisonment. Even seemingly minor contact – such as a single text message or a social...
In Brief If you believe you have committed a criminal offence or are wanted by the police, voluntarily turning yourself in can carry significant legal advantages. Courts treat voluntary surrender as a mitigating factor under Sentencing Council guidelines,...
In Brief Yes, sending unsolicited sexual images is now a criminal offence in England and Wales. Since 31 January 2024, cyberflashing has been a specific offence under section 66A of the Sexual Offences Act 2003, introduced by the Online Safety Act 2023....
In Brief Yes, you can go to jail for touching someone in the UK. If the touching is sexual, it may be charged as sexual assault by touching under Section 3 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003, carrying a maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment ....
In Brief If you have accidentally viewed indecent images of children online, it is understandable to feel panicked. However, accidentally coming across such material is not, in itself, usually prosecuted as a criminal offence under UK law – provided...
In Brief Under UK law, viewing and possessing illegal pornography are treated as separate offences, but both can lead to serious criminal charges. Viewing or downloading an indecent image is typically prosecuted as “making” an image under...
In Brief Possession with intent to supply (PWITS) Class A drugs is a serious offence under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, carrying a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. The sentencing range spans a high-level community order to 16 years’ custody....
In Brief A life sentence in the UK does not usually mean the offender will spend the rest of their life in prison. In most cases, the judge sets a minimum term (also called a tariff) that the offender must serve before they can be considered for release...
In Brief All criminal cases in England and Wales begin at the Magistrates’ Court. Whether you have been charged with a minor motoring offence or a serious criminal matter, your first court appearance will take place before a Magistrates’ Court....
In Brief In most cases, the difference between murder and manslaughter comes down to intent. Murder requires proof that the defendant intended to kill or cause grievous bodily harm (GBH). Manslaughter covers unlawful killings where that specific intent...
In Brief If you have been charged with a criminal offence, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is responsible for deciding whether your case proceeds to trial. The CPS can drop charges at any stage before conviction – either through discontinuance or...
In Brief There is no general time limit on how long a police investigation can last in England and Wales. For indictable and either-way offences, the police can investigate for as long as they consider necessary. For summary-only offences, proceedings must...
In Brief Voyeurism is a criminal offence in the UK under the Sexual Offences Act 2003. It involves observing or recording someone doing a private act without their consent and for the purpose of sexual gratification. Voyeurism carries a maximum sentence of...
Grievous bodily harm (GBH) is one of the most serious assault offences in English and Welsh law. If you or someone you know is facing a GBH charge, understanding the sentencing guidelines is essential. This guide explains the sentences for both Section 18...
In Brief A community resolution is an informal, non-statutory disposal used by police in England and Wales to deal with low-level criminal offences without taking the matter to court. It is not a conviction and does not appear on your criminal record....
If you or someone you know has been charged with sexual assault, understanding the potential sentence is likely your most pressing concern. This guide explains how UK courts approach sexual assault sentencing, the factors that influence whether you face a...
Being accused of indecent exposure is a serious matter that can result in imprisonment and placement on the Sex Offenders Register. This guide explains the law under Section 66 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003, including recent changes under the Crime and...
In Brief Cocaine is a Class A drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, the most serious category Maximum penalty for possession: 7 years’ imprisonment , an unlimited fine, or both First-time offenders with small amounts often receive fines,...
In Brief Attempted murder is one of the most serious criminal offences in England and Wales. The maximum sentence is life imprisonment , and the typical sentencing range runs from 3 to 40 years’ custody depending on the circumstances. Unlike...
UK law takes a serious view of sending inappropriate pictures, whether to adults or minors. The Online Safety Act 2023, which came into force in January 2024, introduced significant new offences including cyberflashing and enhanced penalties for sharing...
In Brief Yes, the police can press charges without the victim’s consent in the UK. In fact, victims do not “press charges” at all under English law. The decision to prosecute belongs to the police and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS),...
In Brief The sentence for rape in the UK ranges from 4 to 19 years , with life imprisonment possible for the most serious cases The minimum sentence is typically 4 years for Category 3 offences with lower culpability The maximum sentence is life...
In Brief If the police stop you in the street, they cannot force you to unlock your phone. However, if you are arrested, officers have the power to seize your phone as evidence under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) 1984. Even after arrest, you...
In Brief Being released on bail without formal charges means police have arrested and released you while continuing their investigation. Under the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022, pre-charge bail has strict time limits—typically starting...
Pornography laws in the UK have changed significantly in recent years, particularly with the introduction of the Online Safety Act 2023 and mandatory age verification requirements that came into force in July 2025. This guide explains what is legal, what is...
Making a threat to kill is a serious criminal offence under UK law. If you or someone you know is facing charges, understanding the sentencing guidelines is essential. This guide explains what sentences courts can impose, how they calculate them, and what...
In Brief A No Further Action (NFA) letter is an official notification from the police confirming that an investigation is closed and a decision has been made that no criminal charges will be brought against you for that matter. Receiving an NFA letter...
If you have been cautioned, convicted, or found not guilty by reason of insanity for a sexual offence in the UK, you may be subject to strict police reporting, or "notification," requirements. Commonly referred to as the sex offenders register,...
A conviction in the UK criminal justice system requires the prosecution to prove the defendant's guilt "beyond reasonable doubt." This is the highest standard of proof in law and is a central pillar of the principle that a person is presumed...
In an era of instant communication, where messages can be sent across the globe in seconds, the law has had to evolve to protect individuals from digital harm. While some communications may be considered merely rude or offensive, a specific category of...
Handling stolen goods is a serious criminal offence under the Theft Act 1968. In England and Wales, sentencing for this crime is based on guidelines issued by the Sentencing Council , which ensure a consistent and proportionate approach across the...
In England and Wales, the offence of intentional strangulation was created by the Domestic Abuse Act 2021. Since coming into force on 7 June 2022, there have been key developments in the sentencing guidelines for this serious crime. A dedicated guideline is...
When it comes to the offence of fraud by false representation under the Fraud Act 2006, the Sentencing Council guidelines provide a structured framework for courts to determine an appropriate and proportionate penalty. This offence is...
Both affray and ABH are serious criminal offences with potentially severe consequences. Determining which is “worse” depends on the circumstances of the incident, the level of harm caused and how the courts assess the behaviour involved. At JD...
A person's right to communicate with others, including making a phone call, is a fundamental right while in police custody in England and Wales. However, this right is not absolute and can be delayed in certain, limited circumstances. The law governing...
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The emergency numbers are limited to emergency police station assistance, inclusive of immediate arrest or voluntary surrender only. For all other matters please contact us at solicitors@jdspicer.co.uk or ring our offices during office hours. We do not accept instruction via WhatsApp or text message. Correspondence must go through the aforementioned official channels, and data sent to us by WhatsApp or text will not be retained under any circumstance.
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